Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-01
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND.
II the Money rs Genuine Fortune, II Counter
felt What can be the Object.

This morning between and O'Clock, Mr.
W. A. Thomas, one Of the Oldest business
men in this city, was aroused by a gentle
rap at the side door of his residence OF
Lawrence and Elm. Thinking that there
must be some trouble or perhaps a plot t.
rob him, before opening the door he callet
out. who's there!" The reply was in &
rather tremulous and indistinct tone: 81
want to see Mr. Thomas just a moment" o,
something like that Mr.. Thomas, still un
certain, swung the door (open but stepped
back. A color ed man, or one who looked
like colored man, in plain, ordinary, but
not shabby suit, his hat drawn down, stood
| looking in, holding in his hand
what afterwards proved to an old
moro co side-pocket book. The man,
with the dim light in the room, peered at
Mr. Thomas for a moment then asked, sis 1t
Ar' Mr.. Thomas who is generally known
| by his middle name, answered, "Ahy, yes,
what do you wantr' The man said, "Do you
remember the night when you caught the
| arm of the man who held an uplifted knife
| over a woman on the Plaza in Santa Fer
YES" answered Mr.. Thomas, little
startled, land I've got that knife" "That
woman" coarsely whispered the stranger,
twas my wife, and she was innocent and she
is dead and my boy is dead, dead! but thank
God, who sent you, not at my hands" After
moments pause he continued, and Mr..
Thomas couldn't catch much that he said,
but he understood this much: I'm away
now for my native Spain with more than
SHALL ever need hundred fold, for l have no
KIN and love no human being but you, but
my name or identity stall never be known,
not even to you l am not q colored man.
Take this" handing out the book, "half
Of it is for yourself and children, the
other give to some church Or churches, char
ity or charities, or wherever it will bring the
most happiness" Mr.. Thomas, dumbfound
ed and uncertain, simply stood and said
nothing Saying this, the man gave the
book gentle toss and whirled without a
word Mr. Thomas looked out, but saw him
no more. Closing the door he turned up the
light and opened the book. To his utter
n tIic UOOh was LUZ u 5 SSAA
backs. The first one he pulled out was
thousand dollar bill, and the next and the
next Excited beyond measure he called for
his wife, who found him almost unable to
explain anything. There were one hundred
bills and all of the same denomination. Mr..
Thomas didn't know what to 90, SO he came
down to town and up to the EAGLE Office.
The bills look to be genuine and without
doubt are. AS is known to our
citizens. Mr.. Thomas was merchandising
in Santa Fe four years ago
He says he had long since forgotten the in
cident Of the plaza aud never thinks of it.
except when opening his drawer he some
times notices the ivory handled, silver
mounted dirk knife alluded to. There is not
a single scratch Of pen. Dimly stamped on
abe book can be made out the words Santa
Roza, N. n, IS, A. P. r. Hist" the rest
faded out. He knows nothing farther, can
guess nothing farther. AS MIR. 7. started
home he said he should notify the police to
watch the trains this morning for man in
a gray overcoat and gray felt hat and
button shoes, and that he should wake Mr.
Levy up and have him examine the bills
But we imagine that he will hear more from
this